Charlie Brown that's the meaning of Christmas

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)

These words probably sound familiar. You will most likely gather around the T.V. with your family sometime during this Christmas season and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas. Charlie Brown will get mad and yell out, “What is the meaning of Christmas?” Linus will walk out to middle of the stage, say, “Lights, please,” and a spotlight will appear on him and he will say the lines from above. When he finishes he will say, “That Charlie Brown is the meaning of Christmas.” Many of you will forget the meaning of Christmas. Many of you will grow so busy with church, work and school events that the meaning of Christmas will slowly slip by you and you’ll wonder why you are so worn out. It’s hard I know. I don’t really have any wise, sage advice on how not to get wrapped up in the comings and goings. I’m not going to tell you to “make appointments” with God and try to stop in your busy day and think of the baby that the Angel told the shepherds about. That’s not what God wants. God wants more than that. You need to shift your way of thinking. This shift won’t come overnight; you’ll have to work on it. Start by doing something simple. When you are standing in the line that is miles long don’t stand there and think about how long the line is and how horrible it is to be standing in it and how unbelievably slow the cashier is, instead give glory to God in the highest. When that red light happens, you know that one that often feels like a punishment, don’t sit there and curse the light, turn your radio onto KLove or some other Christian radio station and praise God.

After watching A Charlie Brown Christmas one year, my father said that we should be doing our best to do the end of that verse now. We need to be working on peace on earth and good will toward men. Are you working on living at peace with those around? Are you showing good will toward men? Smile at coworkers. Spend time with those you love. When you see someone struggling help them. The world would be so much better if we all worked on our own little corner and make it better. If you started working on these things it might be easier to not forget the meaning of Christmas.

The meaning of Christmas comes down to this; God loves you so much that He gave up His place in heaven so that you could have one. God thinks you are so important that He gave his child up so you could be with Him. Love like that deserves more than just a pause; it deserves you giving your life back to Him.

Christmas isn’t about what you call it; it’s about what you do for Christ

What's in your cup?

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 (NIV)

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 (AMP)

So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you. John 16:7 (MSG)

When it comes down to it the disciple weren't at an advantage. I've heard some people say it would be easier if were a disciple. If I could have just walked with Jesus, it would be easier. But according to those great red letters out of John, it's better for us. If you look at the list given to the spirit out the Amplified Bible, really take those names in Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby. Those are great names all shared with Christ and God. We don't get that person to person relationship Christ, but since he left, we can be filled with him. Those names have great power in them and you get to be in close fellowship with them. My favorite word for what Jesus sent us is out of the Message though. It's friend. That word is special. I don't just call anyone friend, but they way I use the word tells a lot about me. If you have ever been around when I've lost a shoe, you've heard me say, "Where's your friend?" If it comes in a pair and I'm missing one I go look for it's friend. All those words out of the Amplified Bible are great, but a friend is someone you share your life, someone who is a part of you. Being around Jesus didn't make those guys a better Christian. It's the spirit. Jesus left us, so God's spirit could come and empower us. Oh the power of the spirit is great, and it's amazed the world.

And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? Acts 2:6-7(NASB)

And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:12 (NASB)

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; Acts 2:42-44

The spirit came to those that believed and had them speaking in languages they didn't know. This left the outside world amazed, astonished and perplexed. Non-believers can see the works of the spirit and are amazed and confused, mainly because they don't understand. The believers gathered together devoted to the teachings of the apostles, had fellowship, prayer and broke bread. We do that now, it's the next part. They had a sense of awe and many wonders took place. I wonder why we don't have that anymore. Why is that the average isn't in awe? This is just a group of normal people, they aren't special, we don't know names, yet they are in awe, and see wonders. Most of us has put the spirit in a box, thinking he can't do that anymore. Why? I think one reason, if we saw power like that today, we might feel guilty, that we aren't truly living for God. If we keep the spirit in the box that takes away it's power, that restricts, we can continue to live life between Sundays. The bible can stay on the shelf.

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

This whole spirit thing isn't something new. This comes from the old testament. The spirit is needed and should be used. Tap into the power of God's spirit. Think of yourself as a glass, in order to be filled with the spirit, you must first be empty. If you have a glass full of soda, you can't put any water in it. You have to first empty the glass of soda. You have to empty yourself foe your spirit. It works best if you are completely empty. Think about it. Let's go back to the glass idea. If you have a cup half full of soda and the fill it up the rest of the way with water. Do you want to drink that? I don't. Empty yourself completely and let the Lord fill you with His spirit. The Lord will do amazing things if you let His spirit fill you. All of God's power for you comes through His spirit. You can't have gifts of the spirit will radically change you so you can radically change the world for God. Empty yourself, pour out all the soda and let the water, the spirit of God fill it.